George Fredrick Augustus Ruxton explored the American Southwest in the frontier days, representing British diplomatic and commercial interests. In the Spring of 1847, he passed through Manitou Springs and wrote extensively about his adventures in the foothills of Pikes Peak. Ruxton Creek, flowing out of Englemann Canyon and one of three major drainage basins converging in Manitou Springs, was named in honor of the Englishman.

Advertised as “The Only Chalybeate Springs in the West,” iron-rich waters emitting from the mineral springs along upper Ruxton Creek became known as “The Strongest of Tonics.” The first considerable construction project began in 1889 along upper Ruxton Avenue with the building of the Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway that reached the summit of Pikes Peak in 1891. Then in 1895 an electric trolley line was built from Manitou Avenue to the Cog Railway depot. Joseph G. Heistand, a photographer, mineralogist, and taxidermist found himself spending summers in Manitou Springs beginning in the mid 1880s. After the completion of the Ruxton electric trolley line, Heistand, who was an avid collector of mineral specimens, opened up a retail shop just below the Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway depot. No tourist stopover was complete without a visit to Heistand’s curio shoppe. In 1886, the Colorado Midland Railway brought more railroad activity to upper Ruxton Avenue and built a viaduct over the trolley line, creek, and road to the bustling upper Ruxton resort and tourist destination.

Around 1900, Heistand relocated to Manitou Springs year-round, and his entrepreneurial spirit moved him to purchase another upper Ruxton asset, the Ute Iron Spring. He developed a new pavilion and the nearby Iron Springs Hotel. Heistand’s ambition didn’t wane as he acquired the summit house on Pikes Peak and became the official photographer for the Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway.

Manitou’s iron-rich mineral waters along the upper Ruxton corridor drew hundreds/thousands of tourists and health-seekers. In 1910, Heistand seized yet another opportunity and drilled Iron Springs Geyser, adjacent to the electric trolley line just upstream from the Colorado Midland Railway viaduct. The new Iron Springs Geyser well was fitted with a hand-blown glass font showcasing the effervescent spring waters and housed under a hip-roof style pavilion. Today speculation surrounding the Iron Spring Geyser’s pavilion suggests it may be the oldest, standing structure sheltering a mineral spring within the state of Colorado. Remains of the Colorado Midland Railway’s viaduct piers can still be seen in the creek bed just downstream from the Iron Springs Geyser.

History

About the Font Artist

Steve Wood

My design of Iron Springs Geyser’s font alludes to the Ute Pass fault, the resulting springs and properties of iron, magnetism, rusting, metabolism, and the richness of colors derived from ferrous materials.

The dynamic form symbolizes the energy and force beneath one’s feet at the geologic intersection of the Ute Pass and Englemann Canyon faults. The curved-metal delivery pipe echos the curvature of the concrete cylinders that make up the base of the font and the circular metal access panel on top. The concrete cylinder was a technical, design feature which provided my starting point. The top, surface tile work reflects the patterning of iron filings when exposed to magnetic forces.

While in the design process, I envisioned the iron mineral spring deposits would build up on the basin and surrounding areas, so I worked with a palette of reds and tans. The results over time have confirmed my vision.

The font is a sculpture that is both aesthetic and functional. I designed it to be visually strong and provide an easy supply of water to a vessel. The Iron Springs Geyser’s site is lovely and visitors find it relaxing in the pavilion, filling canteens, and enjoying the ambience of Ruxton Creek.
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Calcium (Ca)

Calcium is the mineral the body uses most, a critical building block for bone and tooth formation. Calcium regulates the rhythm of the heartbeat. Calcium is necessary for heart function, blood coagulation and muscle contraction. Calcium has a role in controlling blood pressure and may help prevent colorectal cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, PMS and osteoporosis. Children with extreme calcium deficiency may develop rickets; a disease that causes deformed bones.

Chloride (Cl)

Chloride is an electrolyte that works with potassium and sodium to keep the fluid balance in and out of the body's cells. Chloride helps maintain proper blood volume, blood pressure, and pH of your body fluids and a component of gastric juice necessary for digestion. Chloride is also important for the proper functioning of the liver and for healthy joints and tendons.

Copper (Cu)

Copper, found in the bones, muscles, brain, heart, liver and kidneys, is an important trace mineral for the cardiovascular, nervous and skeletal systems. Copper plays a role in the absorption and metabolism of iron. Copper helps form connective tissue, nerve fibers and red blood cells; helps keep arteries flexible. Severe copper deficiency is rare. Too much zinc, may lead to a marginal deficiency with symptoms such as anemia, skeletal defects, decreased resistance to infection, heart disease, high cholesterol, nervous system disorders, lack of coordination and a tingling of the extremities.

Fluoride (F)

Fluoride is essential in bone and tooth formation and promotes the hardening of tooth enamel. In many parts of the world, fluoride is added to tap water. Studies have proven that this significantly decreases tooth decay in children, especially when it is consumed before the teeth emerge. Fluoride stimulates new bone formation throughout the life cycle, thus offering some protection from developing osteoporosis. It prevents acid and plaque formation in the mouth caused from food, especially sugar and helps the body retain calcium.

Iron (Fe)

Iron is found in many plants, but often in a form that is difficult to absorb (some iron-rich vegetables like spinach also contain oxalic acid, which interferes with the absorption of iron and other minerals). Vitamin C greatly improves iron absorption. Iron binds with hemoglobin molecules to transport oxygen from the lungs to the cells in the body. It is involved in enzyme activities related to energy storage and availability and for storing oxygen in muscles. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, which causes lethargy, poor concentration, pale skin and shortness of breath. Vegetarians have to ensure they get an adequate iron intake, as do menstruating or pregnant women.

Lithium (Li)

Lithium has been used since the 1960’s for treatment of those who suffer from the psychological disorder of manic depression or bipolar affective disorder. Lithium acts on a person's central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Physicians don't know exactly how lithium works to stabilize a person's mood, but it is thought to help strengthen nerve cell connections in brain regions that are involved in regulating mood, thinking and behavior.

Magnesium (Mg)

Hundreds of enzymes require magnesium ions to function. Magnesium compounds are used medicinally as common laxatives, antacids; vital for nerve conduction and muscle contraction. Magnesium is involved in the formation of bone and teeth. It activates enzymes that aid in the release of energy from food; helps control blood pressure, regulate body temperature and maintain the acid-base balance in the body. Calcium and magnesium must be in proper proportion to perform their closely related body functions. For example, calcium stimulates muscles while magnesium relaxes them. Magnesium has had some success in treating migraines, asthma and diabetes.

Manganese (Mn)

Manganese is necessary for development, metabolism, and the antioxidant system. Manganese may play a role in treating heart arrhythmia, osteoporosis, epilepsy and back pain. The essential minimum intake is unknown since manganese deficiency is so rare. The human body contains about 12 mg of manganese, which is stored mainly in the bones. Manganese is used in bone formation, muscle coordination, nervous system function and is involved in several enzyme reactions.

Potassium (K)

Potassium is important in neuron (brain and nerve) function, a major nutrient in fruits and vegetables and is the predominant positive electrolyte in body cells. To avoid high blood pressure, try to keep your potassium to sodium intake at 5:1 ratio. Potassium helps maintain blood pressure and muscle contraction. In partnership with chloride, potassium helps maintain the water balance in and out of body cells, and regulates blood pressure and heartbeat. It stimulates the kidneys to release toxins from the body. Diets high in potassium can reduce the risk of hypertension and may help to prevent strokes.

Silica (SIO)

Silica is considered important in the growth, strength, and management of many connective tissues. This applies to hard connective tissues such as bone and tooth and is suggested to play a role in the biochemistry of the subcellular enzyme-containing structures as well.

Sodium (Na)

Sodium is an electrolyte that plays a crucial role in regulating fluid levels and maintaining blood pressure. In tandem with potassium and chloride, it regulates acid-base balance in the body. Sodium is involved in nerve transmission and muscle contraction, including the heartbeat. Many conditions including congestive heart failure, liver failure, kidney failure and pneumonia are commonly associated with a low sodium concentration in the blood. This state can also be caused by overhydration from drinking too much water because of excess thirst and not replenishing the body’s sodium level. Exercise-associated hyponatremia is common in marathon runners and participants of other endurance events.

Sulfate (S04)

Recent studies suggest Sulfate promotes a laxative effect and decrease in gastrointestinal retention of food at concentrations of 1000–1200 mg/L.

Zinc (Zn)

Zinc is an important antioxidant that supports healthy immune system function. Studies suggest it protects against accelerated aging of the skin, muscles of the body and is an effective treatment for an age-related eye condition called macular degeneration. Zinc is a component of insulin and over 100 enzymes, proteins, nucleic acids and hormones. It helps in the healing of wounds, tissue repair, growth, energy conversion and sexual development. It regulates blood sugar, blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol levels.